516. H-4.1 INTEGRATING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

516 H-4.1 INTEGRATING VULNERABLE POPULATIONS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES 516.1 One of the basic premises of the District’s vision is that housing serving vulnerable populations and those with disabilities should be accommodated in all of Washington, DC’s neighborhoods and not heavily located in a handful of areas; the current distribution is uneven. While it would be unrealistic to propose that each neighborhood should have an identical number of such facilities, more can be done to avoid concentrating housing in a handful of areas. Every neighborhood should be a high-opportunity neighborhood, and all residents should have access to housing opportunities. 516.2 Steps can also be taken to reduce the stigma associated with housing for vulnerable populations or persons with disabilities and to improve its compatibility with the surrounding community. This will become even more important in the future, as displacement pressures downtown and elsewhere create additional challenge to maintain and operate some of the District’s emergency shelters and those providing services to vulnerable populations or persons with disabilities. Given limited budgets, the rising cost of land tends to drive housing for vulnerable populations or persons with disabilities to the most affordable areas of the District—the very places where these uses already are concentrated. A history of racist policies has led to Black and Hispanic residents disproportionately experiencing homelessness, being part of the foster care system, interacting with the juvenile justice system, living with HIV/AIDS, serving time in correctional facilities and experiencing behavioral health issues. So, actions to improve housing opportunities is a matter of racial equity. Washington, DC is committed to investing in community-based housing options and services that encourage independent living across all Planning Areas. 516.3 Policy H-4.1.1: Integration of Vulnerable Populations and Residents with Disabilities Integrate residents with disabilities or vulnerable populations through housing that includes wraparound supportive services throughout Washington, DC rather than segregating them into neighborhoods that already have a significant presence of such housing. 516.4 Policy H-4.1.2: Emphasis on Permanent Housing Emphasize permanent housing-first solutions for persons with disabilities or vulnerable populations, rather than building more temporary, short-term housing facilities. Permanent housing is more conducive to the stability of its occupants and generally has greater support from communities than transient housing. 516.5 Policy H-4.1.3: Coordination of Housing and Support Services Coordinate the siting of housing for persons with disabilities or vulnerable populations with the location of the key services that support the population being housed. The availability of affordable public transportation to reach those services also should be considered. 516.6 Policy H-4.1.4: Protecting the Housing Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Vulnerable Populations Protect the housing rights of all vulnerable populations or residents with disabilities through laws pertaining to property taxes, evictions, and affordable tenancy. SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR 1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996, effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)). District of Columbia Municipal Regulations Comprehensive Plan 10-A DCMR § 516